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David Bowie is on course to notch up his first number one album in almost 20 years, with 'The Next Day' outselling all competitors.

The return of David Bowie has been both dramatic and effortless. 'The Next Day' was announced with the minimum of fuss, finding the iconic artist ending nearly ten years of silence with wonderful grace.

Since then, commentators have lunged on his every move. Clash writer Anna Wilson was invited to hear the album, and responded thus: "This is a contemplative, confident record which will only strengthen with further listening. Reflective, revitalising and luxuriously refined; it’s bloody good Bowie after all."

David Bowie released 'The Next Day' on Monday (March 11th) and already it seems certain that the English singer will notch up his first number one album in two decades. First day sales saw Bowie shift more than 50,000 copies, placing him comfortably ahead of his nearest competitor Bon Jovi.

Set to be the singer's first number one album since 1993's 'Black Tie White Noise' those first day sales are the biggest of any album so far this year.

Fancy discovering more about the inventive design which adorns 'The Next Day'? Clash spoke to Jonathan Barnbrook - the designer behind that cover - and you can read his thoughts HERE.